Grokus The Heretic

[Grokus]

The drink had tasted so poorly, almost making him gag. “Why do some horde sip this dwarf piss,” he asked himself. He guzzled it so fast he lost time…It felt good… It felt right, he was deaf to the words this night. Grokus sat at the table he awoke at, agonizingly playing back last nights events in his throbbing head.

“Do not dismiss me like that” he mumbled angrily to himself as he approached his mailbox. It had been days since his confrontation with Janka, yet he was still angry at her cruel words. A single letter sat in his mailbox. He reached in for it, noticing that the letter had been wet. Upon his rushed inspection he came to a quick conclusion; rain drops.

“Her” he said aloud as the writer of the letter’s smell wafted to his nostrils, he would need a flame with which to read this letter by. Grokus quickly called forth his soul-less worg that had been given to him for his work defending the Horde.

Riding fast and hard knowing only one place to befit such an ending, in no time Grokus found himself on the coast of Durator looking upon the vastness of the Great Sea, the same place he had laid down Rhoak. He quietly found a place to light a fire next to his brother’s grave. “A proper place for things to end” he said as he lit his visage to she who burns. Grokus kneeled and kissed the sand above his brother’s grave. “I’m sorry little brother” he said, as he always did when he came to see him. Grokus then crossed his legs and removed his battle tarnished gloves.

He ran his black and callused fingers over the front of the letter, knowing now that no rain had poured upon this letter, he knew at once it was tears. “I’m happy she is as miserable as me,” he mumbled, cursing himself for it. “You wish no such thing; you love her, even if she doesn’t love you”. He removed his dagger from his sheath and used it to open the letter. Grokus sat for a long time staring at the folded piece of paper. The fire twice looked to him as if it asked for the letter, longing for it, or for him not to read it, but as he moved it above the flames, the paper turning brown from the heat, his heart spoke again, “You owe her this much.” He sighed at himself, knowing it was true. Grokus then unfolded his love’s tear soaked letter and began to read.

“Dearest Grokus,

I have noticed for some time, as have you; that we have grown distant from one another. I have wished to speak to you of this but one of the things I loved and admired about you- your iron will and fierce stubbornness prevents you from being able to share those thoughts that burn in your heart like your burning Mistress. The fire and passion that defined our feelings for one another seem to have cooled to ash. I know not why this is on your part and indeed, I cannot even fully say on my part whether it was because our love burned so hotly that it was consumed for lack of air to fuel it, or if it was because I feel that I may not ever earn your respect and esteem in the same fashion that you respect and esteem our mutual friend Janka, I know not.”

Stunned, Grokus read it again.
“…I may not ever earn your respect and esteem in the same fashion that you respect and esteem our mutual friend Janka, I know not...”

“Janka?!” Grokus said out loud “JANKA?! She thinks I have more respect for Janka?!” Grokus bellowed. “She is the reason for this?!” Grokus heatedly continues to read.

“…I do know that I cannot marry you…”

“Janka…” He growled

“…after the miles that have grown between us. I know that you care for me deeply but that is not always enough. I would urge you not to harm yourself or curse yourself with further anger and bitterness but I fear that your nature will prevent this. I will ask the loa’s to remove your pain and grant you serenity and happiness in the future. Please know that while I do feel that I will never be able to make you happy as your wife, I wish to remain your willing and respectful associate in the endeavours that we both undertake for the Horde and amongst our mutual friends.

I do not know if I could read any response that you might make to this letter because it might weaken my resolve and we both deserve peace and happiness one day.

You will always remain in my heart.

Zurasha”

“I will remain in her heart?!” Grokus hissed.

Grokus sat silently for a long time then nonchalantly put the paper to the flames. While watching it burn, he venomously said about Zurasha, “I may remain in her heart, but she will not remain in mine, my heart will return to she who had it first.”

It was in that instant he realized who else had lead him towards this courtship. He stared at the flames for sometime before he began to speak. “I asked you,” he growled deep with anger and pain, “I ASKED YOU! I begged you to lead me the right way, I bent a knee and prayed to you day and night…” Breathing heavy with anger, he continued, “I thank you for my victories and my defeats, you were my teacher, YET you lead me to this, WHAT DO YOU mean to teach me? That those around me…those I love…those I care for most of all shall turn their back on me?” Grokus without thinking, so deep in self pity, stood and spit in the fire. Then he turned his back to the flame. “That is what I think of your lesso…” A sudden burst of light and flames threw Grokus back against the ground.

“YOU DARE turn your back to me, YOU SPIT upon me?” The voice bellowed, deep with anger. “What say you FIST, EXPLAIN yourself!”

Grokus instantly recognized the face, it had been a long time since the death of Rhoak, but not long enough to make him forget her face. A beautiful face, yet powerful this time, and deep with anger. “I...i.i.i.i.i,” he stuttered. He took a deep breath, standing in her presence had this effect on him. “I mean to show no disrespect Mistress…”

The Burning Mistress cut him off, “Then what did I feel splatter amongst my flames?” She added “Do not lie to me, Grokus, I will not tolerate lies from my Fist.”

Grokus’ resolve hardened as it had in the past when he got called out. “Aye, I spat upon you, you have lead me false, I pray to you each…”

“I have heard your rant, Fist,” She said calmly now, yet still powerful and want of respect, “Have you forgotten my gifts to yo…”

Grokus growing bold, cut off his god “Do you forget what it cost me, My brother’s life was drifting away, in front of my eyes. He begged for mercy, yet you had none, so I had to loose an arrow through him. DO YOU forget so easily, what you asked of ME that day? What I lost?”

“Yes, a choice you made, you could have died with him, and he now sits at my side, as would have you, and still shall.” She said, with no hint of her earlier anger.

Misreading her intent he asked, “You dare use Rhoak as some gambling stone? To some how keep me in line?” Grokus then brandished his weapons and stepped toward the flames. His heart stone, lost to the words of She Who Burns.

“Be careful what you do next, Grokus. I am no false god like that rodent ‘Hakkar’ I will not bleed at the end of your swing, but I will not take a swing upon my non-corporeal self without retribution,” She said, almost remorsefully. “You may still sit at my side Grokus, at your end, you will sit next to me”

Grokus stepped closer to the flames, letting them envelop him, eyes unwavering, long since losing his ability to loosen water from them. His flesh crying out in pain, he stared into her eyes, knowing what he had to do. After a time he spoke firmly, full of pain and hate. “I will no longer kneel to you in this life, or sit beside you in the next.” He then raised the knife to his neck and pulled away, loosing his Tabard to the awaiting hand. He tossed it amongst the flames, snuffing out the visage of She Who Burns. “I shall find my path without you.”

Grokus then began to walk away, hearing the call of the bartenders, ‘Drown your sorrows in a pint of Orgrimmar’s finest ale!’ He had always ignored them, but yet now more than anything he wanted to deafen himself to the will of She who burns. Tonight he would find a dark place to drink her deaf.

Grokus stopped mid stride once he realised what was still around his neck, hidden for months. He stopped and pulled the chain from behind his chest piece. On the end of the chain a ring with a flawless shine twinkled in his eye, as if to mock him. It was the wedding ring the goblin had called [The Rock]. With a sudden yank, he ripped it from around his neck and tossed it into the snuffed visage. “I shall also find my path without her.”

[Grokus]

“It shall be done” The orc with the stained apron said he as watched his master leave his presence, he would have to start brewing now, there was no telling when one of Shadow’s friends would stop by, if they did, they would find death and pain in their ale.


It was a packed night and Razuul was called in to help with the overflow of drunkards, it always got that way during wintervale, loneliness got to even the orc, hard skinned and mind most of them, but it cut deep, passed all of their defenses. It was then he saw the orc with the burned medallion hanging around his neck, shaped to look like a flame. “Grokus” he whispered silently as the orc approached, removed his gloves and grunted. Razuul jumped into action, grabbing a metal cup, and pouring Grokus the slightly blue ale, from a skin he kept on his belt, Smiling as the orc grabbed the cup greedily and shuffled over to a corner, Razuul watched as the orc drank it in 2 fast gulps, and smiled again as the orc’s head hit the table. “Conrackus will be pleased” he thought to himself.

“I do not know” Razuul pleaded “One slipped ingredient….it could be anything” “I’m sorry M’lord, I came to you as soon as I saw the orc up and leave, I assumed…I assumed he was dead.” He raised his head to see Conrackus sitting in a chair and what looked like an orc sitting beside him crouching on his hind legs, eyes watching unwavering.

“This is unfortunate…” Conrackus said as he turned to the crouching orc and whispered to it. Instantly the orc was gone. Razuul screamed as a hand reached from the shadows and twisted his neck until it snapped. “I must keep an eye on this orc,” Conrackus sighed as Razuul’s dead eyes stared up at him.

“He fed him ‘Shadow thought potion’…I need not have killed Razuul.” Conrackus smiled, still examining the skin he pulled from Razuul’s lifeless body. “He is as good as in my control, another pet.”



Creeping in the shadows was the only thing that felt right recently, he couldn’t stand the harsh light of Orgrimmar; it had never been this way before. He would sit on the roof top for hours looking upon the small folk, carrying out their day’s business. Grokus still sat amongst the roof and watched the small people at work, no longer was it idle working he was watching, he was looking at them as if they were cattle, he would pick a target and watch him for days, watching his habits, and keeping them in check in his head, knowing that he could at any time he wanted, he could kill... the bread vendor, the cook, or Robauk.

Today was no different, he was following him for no reason, until he sat atop the tree he and Janka would frequent. That was when she walked up… “Zurasha…” he whispered mournfully. He watched as they exchanged words, almost sure he heard Robauk say his name. “Continue to speak of me you…” Grokus cut himself off in mid sentence to see Robauk pull her closer and kiss her. “I will watch as your spine drains upon my blades.” He cursed, until he saw Zurasha grab him by the back of the head and pull him closer into the embrace. Grokus could no longer watch. His head throbbed as it never had before, a new pain to go with his new lifestyle, and drinking habits. “Whore” He whispered venomously as he walked away.

“Come to me,” he heard as he drank in the darkest corner of some sleazy pub in Undercity. Grokus ignored it and continued on drinking the golden ale. “COME TO ME.” It beckoned as if trying to break down the walls of the building Grokus was sitting in. He looked around and it was either only he had heard it, or everyone was so used to the sound that they ignored it.

“Fine!” Grokus bellowed to the astonishment of the pub. He felt his eyes cloud over, the next thing he knew he was standing face to face with a plain orc, with wiry grey hair, and eyes that seemed to glow, one red, one white. He smiled as if the very sight of Grokus assumed him. “Yeah, what do YOU want, orc”? The smile faded off the other orc’s lips.

“You will learn to keep your tone in check while speaking with your superiors, Grokus.” He again smiled. “I have watched you for sometime.” Conrackus said, lying.

“Congratulations, I am not so hard to find if you know where to look, what is it you want?” he said for the first time noticing he was in a place no where near the look of any part of Undercity he had ever seen. “Where am I?” He asked boldly.

“You are here, and nowhere else, but that will change soon enough.” His smiled widened, “I have a question now for you, since I have answered yours…” Grokus felt as if the Orc was studying him. “…Who do you hate?”

“I hate a good many, what is it to you?” Grokus spit back, feeling his head throb in that new way.

“No Grokus, I do not mean your childish quibbling with that woman, Janka, I mean who do you hate above all else? Answer me Orc” He said, as his eye beginning to glow a darker red.

The pain in Grokus’ head was so intense he could think of nothing else but the answer “…Ro…Rob…ROBAUK!” he squealed.

“I know that was painful, but the pain will lessen with time, for now you have this.” The powerful orc said as he handed him a cup of what looked to be Ale, with a slight tinge of blue. Grokus greedily drank from the cup draining its contents within seconds, the pain in his head lessening, but the taste was just as horrible as the first night.

“It is almost time Grokus, time for you to leave this body.” He paused as if pondering the best route to his question. “What of this Janka? And these Hammer’s of the Ancients?” Grokus winced at the sound of his former family. “Do you love them still, you are of no use to either of us with love in your heart.” Conrackus said flatly.

“Janka is treacherous, my respect for her stopped Zur… I will not speak anymore on them.” He finished flushed with the image of her kissing Robauk in his head, and the rage that often came with thoughts of Janka. “She Who Burns lead me astray, she played me false and I am deaf to her words, The Hammer’s I carry no ill will for, they are blind to the lies, no more, no less.”

“Yes Grokus, but they plot with Janka, she runs around with my dog as if I am some pest, she knows not my power,” Conrackus fumed.

“Dog? Janka has no dog.” Grokus said ‘matter-of-a-factly’

“Fool, where do you think Robauk has been all this time? I had him trained, A powerful curse, he was at my bidding, he was no more then a common mutt.” Conrackus smiled, happy with the thought of Robauk as a dog. A loud cackle escaped Grokus mouth, breaking the silence and removing the smile from Conrackus’ face. “Is something funny?” Conrackus asked clearly not amused.

“Aye, quite…” Grokus added between fits of laughing “Robauk the dog-boy” Grokus cackled more, amused with his own thought. Conrackus met this with a smile.

After the laughing had passed Conrackus continued, “Janka plots with him, as do the Hammers…they wish to see your end.” Conrackus finished. Studying Grokus’ face Conrackus knew he believed it a lie. “You do not believe me orc? You shall.” Conrackus stepped down to meet Grokus face to face, raising his hands to his temples, Grokus instantly flinched, then allowed it to happen.

The next thing Grokus knew he was in Orgrimmar, sitting in his spot above the bank, and he saw them all, Robauk with Janka and Salthair. Conrackus was right “You see them, don’t you Grokus?” A voice that seems to encircle him said. “You are still here, you are cloaked in shadows where you are, but you are no more then a shadow, they cannot hurt you, but if you want they can see you, do you wish to stay?”

“Yes.” Grokus said curtly as he listened in.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something…” Janka said, facing a wet haired troll. “About Grokus, You have any idea what is up with him?”

“It is hard to hear, I must get closer.” Grokus thought to himself and he jumped down from the bank roof.

Salthair sighed solemnly, “I not bin able to locate him, but I bin prayin’ fer his soul, De deep one has told me he got de crisis o’fait.”

“I think he is beyond praye…” Janka looked around feeling eyes upon her back and met Grokus’ stare. Janka bellowed, “HEY! There he is!”

“Too close…” Grokus said to himself as he slipped into the deep shadows and retreated to his roof, just in time to hear Janka yell for him.

Janka searched quickly for any sigh of him. “Grokus!” She yelled. “Come back! Someone wants to talk to you!”

“Ya got some kinda special rogue-seein’?” Salthair asks Janka, obviously not having seen Grokus.

“He just ran by the mailbox, but he saw us I suppose, and turned around like the chicken he is. So like him these days, running off, scared to face his problems. Maybe you will have better luck with him.” Janka commented to Salthair.

“Chicken? That’s the best she can say? She has done more to hurt me then anyone, filling Zura with thoughts of us together, it is her fault she left.” Grokus thought to himself.

“DON’T YOU EVER DISMISS ME LIKE THAT AGAIN…EVER” Grokus screamed in a high pitched voice, mocking Janka.

“I DIDN’T, YOU FOOL, I TOLD YOU TO C’MERE!” She yelled back, blind to where Grokus was.

“This is the one you once called a friend, where all your friends so daft? Does she not remember her own words? Does she not realize you mock her?” Conrackus said laughing to himself.

Taking queue from Conrackus Grokus says “I speak your own words; I have no wish to speak to you, only mock what is left of your pitiful shell.”

“My pitiful shell?!” Janka says as Robauk stumbled upon them “Have you looked at yourself lately?” Janka watched as Robauk looked around in search of Grokus. “You won’t even come out of the shadows! Seems like chicken shit to me, Grokus”

“Dat be true Grokus, Salty can’t even see ya.” Salthair chimes in peacefully, without a thread of Janka’s anger.

“Aye.” Grokus says almost instantly “I like what I see, the chains are lifted” Grokus stretched. “You have no part in this Salthair, I have no ill will for you.”

“But ya do fer yer friend Janka?” Salthair asks calmly.

“Friend?” Janka and Grokus say at the same time. “Hardly.” Janka adds.

“She HAS bin friend to ya Grokus. Do you throw that away?” Salthair asks of Grokus.

“I throw that away and more.” Grokus stands to spit over the edge.

“I’m not sure if I should pity him, put him out of his misery, or let him wallow in it a bit more. It’s proving to be amusing at this point.” Janka said, obviously angrier then she was willing to show. “He blames me for his lack of manliness with Zurasha.” Janka continued, extending the cadence of Zurasha’s name hoping to hurt Grokus more with it.

“What dat even mean?” Salthair asked, dumbfounded.

“He blames me for all his troubles with her.” Janka answered angrily.

“SHE blames you.” Grokus thinks back to a word Janka had called him when she had called him down one day, “you ‘git’.”

“Zura doesn’t blame me, fool!” Janka spit back, shocked that he would even say such a thing.

“Her words tell a different tale.” Grokus says calmly.

“Her words?” Janka asks “OH! You mean when she said you were in love with me? No…she doesn’t blame me.”

“She can be so stupid sometimes,” Grokus thought to himself. “She knows I speak of the letter, yet she tries to bring me into a fight of words.”

“She will be dealt with in time Grokus.” Conrackus said answering Grokus’ very thoughts.

“’ey Groky, buddy! Come on out! I haven’ had time ta say hello since I got back…” Robauk’s words are met with silence “Either e’s gone or he wan’s ta kill us so bad he ain’ talkin’.”

“Hey dog boy sit down, or go fetch a bone.” Grokus said, to the immense amusement of Conrackus. “I have nothing to talk to you about, we will have our day, I creep amongst the shadows, I see things” Grokus said, adding, “And you will die for them” in his head.

“Dog boy? That tha bes’ you kin do, mate?” Robauk almost chuckles.

“No Bark of a thinly veiled insult Rob? Must have lost more then your freedom in your cage. Good on whoever finally put you in your place.” Grokus said venomously to another eruption of amusement from Conrackus.

“If it’s a fight ya wan’ man, we’ll see who gets put in ‘is place.” Robauk answered indifferently. “Ya Know… Zurasha really did love ya, An’ man ya missin out.” Robauk said grinning.

Seething with anger yet doing his best to sound indifferent towards Robauk and his blatant attempt to make him angry Grokus only said, “Yes, you have made her another one of your whores.” He then turned his attention to Janka, “Congrats on snagging this one Janka, Real prize!” He finishes thick with sarcasm.

“Bah, Janka’s willin’ ta give Zurasha tha love ya never did. We’re a big happy family!” Robauk said with delight.

Salthair trying to rise above this childish attempt to piss off Grokus says “Grokus, Come to da sea wit me and we will talk. Yer not makin’ any sense.”

“Salthair he is beyond help, I wouldn’t waste your time. No matter… He will die soon enough as it is.” Janka said, almost remorsefully.

This time it was not only Conrackus who cackled at the situation, Grokus laughed louder then his new friend, “Sweet girl,” He said between fits of laughter, “Do you think it by your hand?” He cackled more.

“Do it Grokus, step from the shadows, they cannot hurt you, let them try, they will show their ignorance, and it shall prove to you my power.” Conrackus said.

Grokus stepped from the shadow on top the bank roof. “Here I am. Do as you will.” he said smiling, content with himself. When none of them made their move to meet him upon the roof, Grokus spoke one last time. “This is tiresome, Keep to the shadows Dog boy, I will find you there.” As he stood to leave, he found himself back in the unfamiliar place with a smiling orc with two coloured eyes staring at him.

“What say you now Grokus?” Conrackus asked

“They all work against me, with Robauk; they are no friends of mine.” Grokus replied forlorn.

“Will you prove it to me, will you prove to me that you no longer love ‘She Who Burns?’ or the Hammers? I have a task if you would like to.” Conrackus asked firmly, so Grokus would know that it was not a light task he asked of him.

“Aye, what would you ask of me?” Grokus said as he took another cup of horrible blue ale from Conrackus.